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In three seasons with Ime Udoka as head coach, the Houston Rockets have consistently been a strong defensive team.
So, it’s only natural that veteran guard Marcus Smart — who once won NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors when playing for Udoka with the 2021-22 Boston Celtics — is joining the group.
On Friday, Houston’s free agency deal with Smart became official. It’s reportedly a two-year contract worth approximately $13 million, with the second year as a player option.
And now that the deal is finalized, leaders with the Rockets can officially comment on Smart’s acquisition.
In an interview with ESPN during Friday’s summer league game, general manager Rafael Stone said of Smart:
Though he stands at just 6-foot-3, Smart is extremely physical and defends well at a number of positions. Last season, he led the Lakers in on-off differential (+9.6), and analytics graded out his defense very favorably.
He also showed an ability to improve his play in bigger games. During the 2026 playoffs, Smart averaged 12.9 points (34.0% on 3-pointers), 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game, and his production played a key role as Los Angeles upset Houston in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Assuming health, the Rockets appear likely to start Fred VanVleet, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun next season. That would leave Smart, Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, Steven Adams, and newly acquired shooter Bogdan Bogdanović among the team’s most important reserves.
More: Rockets sign veteran guard Marcus Smart to two-year, $13-million deal
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Feels like a Rocket’: Rafael Stone reacts to Marcus Smart signing
Continue reading...
So, it’s only natural that veteran guard Marcus Smart — who once won NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors when playing for Udoka with the 2021-22 Boston Celtics — is joining the group.
On Friday, Houston’s free agency deal with Smart became official. It’s reportedly a two-year contract worth approximately $13 million, with the second year as a player option.
And now that the deal is finalized, leaders with the Rockets can officially comment on Smart’s acquisition.
In an interview with ESPN during Friday’s summer league game, general manager Rafael Stone said of Smart:
Though he stands at just 6-foot-3, Smart is extremely physical and defends well at a number of positions. Last season, he led the Lakers in on-off differential (+9.6), and analytics graded out his defense very favorably.
He also showed an ability to improve his play in bigger games. During the 2026 playoffs, Smart averaged 12.9 points (34.0% on 3-pointers), 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game, and his production played a key role as Los Angeles upset Houston in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Assuming health, the Rockets appear likely to start Fred VanVleet, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun next season. That would leave Smart, Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, Steven Adams, and newly acquired shooter Bogdan Bogdanović among the team’s most important reserves.
More: Rockets sign veteran guard Marcus Smart to two-year, $13-million deal
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Feels like a Rocket’: Rafael Stone reacts to Marcus Smart signing
Continue reading...
